Electric burglar detector



Nov. 3,1925. 1,559,955 5 N. 1.. GLOVER ET AL v ELECTRIC BURGLAR DETECTOR Filed Feb. 11. 1924 2 Shee'ts-Shaet i N L. GLOVER El AL ELECTRIC BURGLAR DETECTOR Filed Fob. 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 jjlmziar j wiafil- 616W efomar JQJZIZQIOII Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NEWTON L. GLOVER- AND JAMES A. HANSON, OF WINDOIII, MINNESOTA.

ELECTRIC BURGLAR DETECTOR.

Application filed February 11, 1924.

To all whom may concern.-

Be it known that we, Nuw'ron L. GLovnR and Janus A. I-Lnvsox, citizens of the United States, residing at indom, in. the county of Cottonwood and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Burglar Detectors; and dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to electric signal apparatus, and has for its principal objects to,

provide automatic means for control of the electric lights in a building or other location and to provide means for signaling to a more or less distant point or points in case the circuit controlling the said lights is in any manner broken, and has for one of its more important objects to protect the contents of a building from theft by burglars or otherwise.

It is a common practice in banks, stores, or other places where things of value are kept, to provide a light or lights suitably located and continued in operation throughout the night, and thus enabling a patrolman or other persons to see or detect any person or operation within the building or space covered by the lights. A burglar, to avoid such detection, will turn out or disconnect these lights by in some way breaking the electric circuit producing the same.

Our invention provides means by which, when the circuit is thus disconnected, a person or persons at a more or less remote location will be apprised of such occurrence by automatically operated signals, and will thus be enabled to capture the burglar or prevent theft of the property.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is not our purpose to confine ourselves strictly to the specific details shown, inasmuch as slight modifications of form or structure might be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of an automatic call device; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

The device consists of an electric light cir- Serial No. 691,918.

cuit connected in series with one or more night light bulbs and with a timed switch, manually adjustable for setting, and controlled by clock mechanism. In the circuit is incorporated a magnet coil, which coil is adapted for holding open asecondary circuit. The secondary circuit is also in circuitwith an adjustable timed switch c011- trolled byclock mechanism and when closed is adapted to ring the bell of a telephone or an ordinary electric hell or control other signal apparatus as will be hereinafter described in detail.

The numerals 4 and 5 indicate the outside or service wires of an ordinary electric lighting circuit, and the numerals l and 5 indicate the two wires of the house circuit leading from the service wires and in cit--- cuit with the night light. The main wires of the telephone circuit are indicated by the numerals 6 and 7, the house leads by the numerals 6 and 7, and a house lead shunt circuit by the numerals 6' and 7 The house leads 6 and '7 are connected to the telephone in the usual way.

Suitable clock mechanism, not shown, is adapted to rotate the wheels 8 and 8, which are provided with circumferentially adjustable arms 9, 9 9 and 9 adapted to operate the adjacent arms of levers 10 and 10, which are pivoted on studs 12 and 12 and actuated by springs 13 and 13. The outer arms of the levers 10 and 10 each carry contact blocks 14; and 14' adapted, when operated by the arms 9 and 9 to make electrical contact with fixed contact blocks 11 and 11. and complete the circuit. The blocks 11 and 11 are adapted to latch over and hold the blocks 14; and 1 1 in contact with the same against the action of the springs 13 and 13. The plates 15 and 15', pivoted at 16, curved upward in their central portion, and impelled by springs 17, normally rest against the outer edges of the blocks let and 1 1'. The arms 9 and 9 are longer than the arms 9 and 9 and, therefore, operate the levers 10 and 10 through a greater are, suflicient to permit the plates 15 and 15 to pass beneath the blocks 14 and 14, whereby the said blocks, in returning, are lifted over the latches of blocks 11 and 11, thus permitting the springs 13 and 13 to carry the blocks 1 1 and 14 out of contact with the blocks 11 and 11 to the position shown by dotted lines, thereby breaking the circuit. The light circuit wire 4: is groundsa d telephone in us 01' the manually and 21 indicate so-called it bulbs, connected in one of the a in such manner that, when it is turned out or removed or otherwise put out of action, the l'glitsupplying current through the leads 4. and will be cut oil".

The numeral 22 indicates a magnet coil shown as connected in the lead t and cou stituting switch which further comprises a a an 211', and a pivot- 25, which latter, when not subj l magnt, will be raised by a coiled sprin;

The armature lever contact 27 that cooperates with a Fixed contact 28. I The telephone wire 6 intermediately sectioned and one end is connected to the movable Contact 27 and the other end is .iected to the fixed con ct ll'hen the magnet is energiz the lever 25 will be held downward and the contact 27 will be separated from the contact thus breaking the circuit in the line 6'T.

hen this invention is used in connection with an automatic telephone system, we provide an automatic circuit maker and breaker connected in one of the leads of the shunt circuit 6 4.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the numeral 30 indicates a disc adapted to be rotated on a shaft 31 by a spring 32 in a direction opposite to that of the hands of a clock, in respect to Fig. 2. The spring 52 is connected at one end with a sleeve 33 or other suitable anchorage that is adapted to be rotated manually and secured in different po sitions to lreep said spring under tension, all by means in common use.

The disc 30 is provided near its circumference with a number of radial holes 34 suited to receive a plurality of pins 35, composed of a dielectric substance, that are arranged to represent chosen mimbers and for the purpose of operating the corresponding automatic switches in the central station in the same manner as would be done by calling the same number in the usual operation of the telephone instrument.

In order to secure this result, spring con tacts 36 are interposed in the circuit 7 and are adapted to be separated by the passage of the dielectric pins between-their cora part of an electromagnetic core taeting ends. A magnetic coil 37 in circuit in the line 7 is provided with a solenoid core 38 attached at its outer end to an escapement lever 89, impelled by a spring ell and normally engaging with an exten sion l0 on the circumference of the disc 30 and preventing the latter from rotating.

It will be evident from inspection that when the coil 37 is energized, the escapement 39 will be disengaged from the extension so, permitting the disc 30, impelled by the spring 32, to rotate, thereby causing the pins to successively separate the spring contact 36 and thereby successively interrupt the current in the line 7'. The radial pins only extend around a portion of the circumference of the disc and the latter continues to rotate, permitting the telephone bell to ring until the escapement 39 contacts with an extension 42 and the movement arrested. Near the circumference of the disc 30, on the same radius as that of the pins is secured a dielectric separator 4.3 so located that when the escapement- 39 enthe extension l-2. the separator will be situated between the spring contacts 36 and so cause the ringing of the telephone bell to cease. When the telephone call is answered and no response is received, the one answering will thereby know that the current has been intercepted by turning oil the night light.

In order to make the arrangement oi' the pins more readily understood we will assume, as an example, that an alarm station telephone is represented by the call B235, B being represented at central by 2. Then the pins would be located, shown in Fi 2. with a sufficient saace between each 4 group to correspond with the time required for the usual manual operation. means, the switches at central will be op crate-d to connect with the telephone 3235 and the bell of thesame will ring until the disc 30 comes to rest. To reset the disc 30 for operation, the escapement 39 is transferred from the extension 40. The speed of rotation of the disc 30 may be controlled by a governor, not shown, of any pattern such as are in common use on phonograph tables.

When it is desired to give the alarm at a station other than by telephone, a wire 6 may be carried from the contact 23 through a battery, transformer or other source of current 4.4; to a bell 45, returning through the wire 7 to the wire 7, thereby securing a continuous ringing of the bell when the circuit is closed, due to the intercepting of the circuit current a'5.

The wheels 8 and 8 carrying the time switches are operated in unison by the same clock work. To illustrate the operation, we may assume, as an example, that the arm 9 By this is positioned to operate the arm 10 at nine oclock P. M., thereby turning on the lights 21 and 21, and energizing the magnetic coil 22 and separating the contacts 27 and 28. The arm 9 may be set to operate the arm 10 at nine-fifteen P. M., thus connecting the lines 6 and 7, but not closing the circuit because of the separation oi? the points 27 and 28.

The arm 9 is then set to operate the arm 10 at six oclock A M. and thereby disconnect the lines 6, and '7, and the arm 9 is set to operate the arm 10 at six-fifteen A. Di, thereby turning off the lights 21 and 21.

It, therefore, between the periods of fitteen minutes after nine in the evening and six oclock in the morning, one of the lights 21 is turned ofi or the wire cut or the current in any way interrupted, the magnetic coil 22 will be energized, thereby releasing the magnet arm 25 and permitting the spring 26 to close the contact 27 against the contact 28 and complete the shunt circuit 6 and 7, operate the solenoid 88, and release the disc 30, giving the alarm over the telephone in the manner already explained. However, after the switch arm 10 has been disconnected from the block 11, it will be evident that the turning oil of the light 21 will not cause an alarm on the telephone.

In case the ordinary telephone is used, instead of the automatic, the closing of the contact 27 against the contact 28 and consequent closing of the shunt circuit will cause the central station to be signalled in the same manner as if the receiver were removed trom the hook on the instrument. WVhen central answers and receives no response, she will know by information previously given that one of the lights 21 has been turned ofl, and will call and notify the police, the proprietor or other parties as she may have previously been instructed.

What we claim is:

l. The combination with an electric light circuit, of an electric light bulb forming a part of said circuit, a timed switch adapted to automatically open and close said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, means cooperating with said light circuit for closing said telephone circuit.

2. The combination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, a timed switch adapted to automatically open and close said telephone circuit, and means cooperating with said light circuit for closing said telephone circuit.

3. The combination with an electric light circuit, of an electric light bulb forming a part of said circuit, a timed switch adapted to automatically open and close said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, a timed switch adapted to automatically open and close said telephone circuit and means cooperating with said light circuit for closing said telephone. circuit.

i. The combination with an electric light circuit, of an electric light bulb forming part of said circuit, a timed switch adapted to automatically open and closes-aid light circuit, a signal bell circuit, a timed switch adapted to auton'iatically open and close said bell circuit, and means cooperating with said light circuit for closing said bell circuit. a

In an electric signalling apparatus, the combination with an electric light circuit. of an electric bulb forming a part of said circuit, an electromagnet incorporated in said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, a signal bell circuit, a timed switch for automatically opening and closing said telephone circuit and bell circuit, means whereby the telephone circuit and bell circuit are held open when the said electromagnet is energized, and means for closing the telephone and bell circuits when the electromagnet is deenergized.

('i. The con'ibination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, means cooperating with the opening of said electric light.

circuit for closing the said telephone circuit, and automatically operating means for successively opening and closing said telephone circuit in a prearranged order.

4. The combination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, and an electromagnet incorporated in said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, means cooperating with said electromagnet for closing said telephone circuit, automatically operating means for successively opening and closing said telephone circuit in prearranged order, and electrically controlled means for setting in operation the said means for successively opening and closing the telephone circuit.

8. The combination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, means cooperating with said electric hght circuit for closing said telephone circuit, automatically operating means for successively opening and closing said telephone circuit in a prearranged order, and means for retaining said circuit open after the completion of the successive prearranged opening and closing operation.

9. The combination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, means co-operating with said electric light circuit for closing the telephone circuit, a timed switch adapted for opening and closing the telephone circuit, and automatically operating means whereby the telephone circuit is caused to be successively opened and closed in a prearranged order.

10. The combination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, a timed switch for opening and closing said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, a timed switch for opening and closing said telephone circuit, means 'COOPGITit-ing with said electric light circuit for closing said telephone circuit, and means whereby the said telephone circuit is caused to be successively opened and closed in a prearranged manner.

11. The combination with an electric light circuit, of means for opening said circuit, a shunted telephone circuit, means cooperating with said electric light circuit for closing said telephone circuit, means for successively opening and closing saidtele phone circuit, in a definitely prearranged order, and means for Varying the said order of success]vety opening and closing" said circuit.

In testimony whereof we affix our sisnatures.

NEl VTON L. GLOVER. r Alt ES A. HANSON. 

